Olnick

Sounds like scare tactics to me--and $650 is a rip-off. If no one comes forward with a specific shop suggestion, try to find some Mom-and Pop type places in your area. Get estimates. You can talk about the problem intelligently from what you already know! And good luck--let us know how it goes.

Does it go into and out-of all gears--even if you have to fumble around finding each one? I don't know what "cables" the guy was talking about. I'd still suggest you get under the car and check out the rod action. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing that, Bushwick--good advice. (Now I need to go out and check my PS fluid!)

If you're lucky it may just be the shifter linkage--bushings wear out and even fall apart! Get the car up (safely--on jack stands or ramps) and crawl under from the driver's side. Check out the rod that links the gearshift lever to the stub-out shaft on the tranny. Get a helper to sit in the car and run through the gears while you watch what happens. But if it's not the linkage you'd probably have to get a new (used) tranny and swap it in. Good luck! Ask questions here.

Tell us what your car is--year, model, engine. mileage, how long you've owned it--any history of it (if you know.)

Welcome aboard, NEWFOutback. That's a stealthy looking beast. Nice!

Always use the special high-temperature grease designed especially for brake sliders. It's usually available in small squeeze packets at auto parts stores.

Re tachometer: Many folks have done it and it sounds pretty easy. Try searching here on USMB using these titles: Installing a factory tach and Brighton Instruments.

Welcome to USMB, Ed. Post your concerns in the Older Gen forum--there'll be a lot more knowledgeable eyes there and a better chance for help. And good luck!

Hi BirdLoyale and welcome to the USMB. You should post your questions in the "Older Generation" forum--that's where pre-EJ series Subarus are discussed. Good luck!

Welcome, subakev! As you already know, the good folk here will bend over backwards to offer any help. I drive a '95 Legacy wagon and my wife has an '09 Toyota!

So sorry, Jeff. Don't get discouraged . . . keep looking. There's a "right place" for you out there somewhere.

TypeO+ . . . a good resource for small parts--hatch lock plates and such--is junk yards, especially Pull n' Pays.

Re: Shifter linkage. Most likely worn-out or missing bushings in the "boss joint"--the universal type connector that joins the linkage rod from your gearshift to the tranny stub-out. I did mine about 10 years ago--a real PITA job but well worth the effort! For some reason I can't post a link here, so try an advanced search for "Shifter Bushings"--limit it to New Gen/90s Legacy forum--put my user name, Olnick, in as author . . . should get you some info. Re: Hatch Lock. My son's '96 Outback had the same problem. Key wouldn't even turn! So once, when we had the interior panels off the hatch, I noticed the lock cylinder was easily accessible. I removed it, soaked it in penetrating oil, washed it thoroughly with brake cleaner. Years of dirt, grime and gunk came pouring out--afterwards it worked like new! Good luck.

So is there any advantage to using an "automatic" battery--with higher CCA--in a "manual" car?

MWE is an excellent choice. Marshall (The "M" in MWE) is a straight shooter--he bent over backwards to help me a few years back.

You're off to a good start! By all means--inspect everything you can as you do various jobs. Then ask specific questions here in the "New Gen" forum--you'll usually get responses pretty quickly there. Re: axles--people here generally swear by Subaru OEM--they're considered much better quality than cheapie new axles. Some folks will grab a decent used axle at a pull n' pay--clean, repack & reboot it--then put it on the car. Recondition the one they took off and put it on the car. Then recondition the 3rd one and put it on the shelf for future use! Helpful hint: Try to master the "search" function here on USMB--it's a treasure trove of useful info. Good luck in your efforts!

Hang in there, Crazyeights. Don't under-estimate yourself. Honesty, capability, dependability and a "good attitude" will take you a long way. I think you'll be very comfortable in a short time. Keep us up on how it goes . . . we're all rooting for you!

Fess up, stackman. Just why are you an idiot?

That's great news about the timing belt. You might want to check with the PO--ask if they replaced idlers, re-sealed the oil pump, replaced cam & crank seals and maybe even the water pump too. Interference motor isn't bad per se, but if the timing belt breaks it can cause a lot of damage--and a worn-out seized idler is the biggest killer of timing belts. Don't mean to be alarmist but it's good to know as much as you can about what work was done.

Very nice! Just a heads up: At 103k you're about due for a new timing belt--and even though it's a 2.2 liter the '97 is interference! It's major maintenance but it's something you can do yourself. And if you want a tachometer I believe the wiring is all in place so you can add one! Enjoy!

Congrats--good going!

Welcome to USMB, a community that has a lot to offer! Just ask. Tell us about your Sweetie--mileage? Got any pix to share? You can do just about any procedure on the Subaru--yes, even the license plate bracket!

What model and year? Mileage? There's lots you should do while you're in there--new idlers, maybe the tensioner, crank & cam seals, oil pump re-seal, cam shaft O-rings--all accessible while you have the front end open. Timing belt job is one of the biggest topics talked about here on the forum--try a search, you should find tons of info. Good luck!

Can you describe how it "sounds loud?" Clicking, ticking, banging, thumping? Does it sound like it's "inside" the engine or is it the exhaust? Maybe post an audio recording so we can hear it.